PsychCentral recently published an article concerning new research pointing to a genetic mutation linking impulsivity and alcohol use. A study by the University of Helsinki, Finland, discovered that those with a specific mutation of gene “Q20” were extraordinarily impulsive and risky when drinking alcohol. Those with the mutation had a higher chance of getting into fights, getting into aggressive encounters, and being arrested for driving under the influence than those who didn’t have the mutation. Naturally...

Video games have become a regular part of teenage life. Instead of whippin’ out a board game or a stack of cards, it’s an Xbox, Playstation, Wii, or Nintendo. This is all fine, games have always changed with the times--except some kids are finding themselves needing video game addiction treatment. Video game addiction has been linked to self-harm, sleep deprivation, ADHD, and disorders related to obesity. [caption id="attachment_90" align="alignright" width="300"] Image source: Flickr user- bennett4senate[/caption] Examples...

It’s no secret that teens are glued to their phones. Nowadays, it’s normal for a young person to check their phone almost constantly. This is still such a new development in our world that we are just starting to see the effects of these devices. In a recent poll conducted by Common Sense Media, it was reported that half of teens felt they had a phone addiction. Almost 60 percent of parents thought their children possibly...

Drugs and Alcohol It is critical to speak with your student about the dangers of drugs and alcohol before college. Help teach your child the best ways to respond to anger, stress, frustration, or rejection. A student with poor coping skills might turn to alcohol or drugs. Experimenting with substances dramatically increases a student’s chance of failure. Students should come to college with pre-planned limits, which might include setting aside designated nights for staying...